NFL postseason eligibility requirements for on-field officials

[Editor’s note: The NFL has provided PFT with the following, which describes the process for choosing officials to work postseason games.]

Super Bowl Eligibility Requirements

* Highest overall percentage at each position who has not yet worked Super Bowl (must be in top five)
* Referees:
– Three years of experience as Referee and five years total (including current); and
– Playoff experience as Referee
* Other Officials:
– Five years of experience (including current); and
> Has worked Conference Championship & Wild Card/Divisional Playoff; or
> Three Wild Card/Divisional Playoffs in past five years (not including current)
* Cannot work consecutive Super Bowls
* Cannot be passed over a second time when ranked with highest overall percentage

Conference Championship Criteria

* Highest two overall percentages at each position not working the Super Bowl
* Three years of experience (including current)
* Playoff experience

Divisional Playoff Criteria – new for 2012, no longer assigned by crew

* Super Bowl official plus highest three overall percentages at each position not working the Conference Championship

Wild Card Playoff Criteria – new for 2012, no longer assigned by crew

* Highest four overall percentages at each position not working a later playoff game

Pro Bowl Criteria

* Most senior eligible official who has not worked Pro Bowl since 2001 and is not working a playoff game
* Assignment may be made for special circumstances such as retirements or special recognitions with approval of the NFLRA
* 2009 Pro Bowl in Miami is not considered